Golden Vanilla & Cinnamon Air Fryer Dough Bites
These little golden bites are a lighter take on the classic Brazilian 'bolinho de chuva' — no deep frying needed. The air fryer gives them a beautifully crisp outside while keeping the inside soft and fluffy. A hint of chocolate and warm cinnamon makes them completely addictive.
🛒 Ingredients
28 servings
- 250 ml whole milk
- 100 g granulated sugar
- 1 pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil (sunflower or vegetable)
- 1 egg
- 300 g all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ground cinnamon, to taste
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Directions
- 1
In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, sugar, and oil until the mixture is smooth and slightly frothy.
- 2
Add the milk and vanilla extract, then stir to combine.
- 3
Add the flour, baking powder, cocoa, and salt. Mix with a wooden spoon until you have a soft, slightly sticky dough with no lumps.
- 4
Preheat your air fryer to 200 °C (390 °F) for 5 minutes. If your air fryer has a rack-style basket, use a silicone mold to prevent the dough balls from falling through.
- 5
Using two tablespoons, scoop and shape the dough into walnut-sized balls and place them in the basket with a little space between each one.
- 6
Cook for 8–10 minutes, flipping the balls halfway through with a spatula — gently scrape them loose so they don't stick.
- 7
Remove once golden brown and immediately dust with ground cinnamon and powdered sugar if desired.
💡 Chef's Tip
Lightly dampen your spoons before shaping each ball — the dough won't stick and you'll get rounder, more even bites every time. If the batter feels too runny, add flour one tablespoon at a time until it holds its shape.
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